Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com reported on Tuesday that he was told by a team source that the Red Sox will begin serious conversations with “Big Papi” at some point next week. But is Ortiz the type of player that Boston needs to get back into the hunt for World Series title?

Let’s take a look.

Ortiz made $14.575 million this season and is due to hit free agency five days after the World Series.

The 36-year-old has not been quiet about his desire for a multi-year deal, and after batting .318/.415/.611 with 23 home runs, 60 RBI and a 1.026 OPS in 90 games this season, he may have a pretty good case.

However, he is 36, and a worse-than-advertised Achilles injury that forced Ortiz to miss the second half of the season will still be a concern.

Should Ortiz return to the Red Sox in 2013, which many expect, he will need to remain injury-free and beef up his middle-of-the-order bat.

Even though the Red Sox would have struggled either way, they missed his on-base ability and power when he was out of the lineup.